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Children of Ann McKinney and "40 Acres" McLaughlin
4. James McLaughlin Jr. (1849-1914)

James McLaughlin Jr. started working as a boy – and never stopped. He became one of the best-known businessmen in Central New York, a supremely confident and determined person not easily discouraged by setbacks. He is remember primarily for operating what became known as the Glenside Woolen Mills and for his teasel business. Some called him "The Teasel King."

An article in The Syracuse Courier on Tuesday, May 29, 1894, under the headline, "Men From the Towns – Seen in Syracuse", described him this way:

"James McLaughlin Jr. of Glenside is a short, thick-set man, dark complexion with dark moustache. He started in the Glenside Woolen Mills ten years ago having discovered by his visit to England the way the English make coffin cloth. The Glenside mills started in small enough, but under Mr. McLaughlin’s superintendence grew until now it is the largest establishment of its sort in the country. Mr. McLaughlin has become a familiar figure in Syracuse from his attendance at the water suits."

[I believe this is a reference to the legal battle between Skaneateles and the city of Syracuse over rights to use water from Skaneateles Lake.]

James McLaughlin Jr. was no stranger to courtroom battles, including several that involved his strange and very strained marriage to Mary Jane O'Neill (1850-1940). She was born in Canada; her family moved to Skaneateles about twenty years later. Two of their four children –Dennis and Theresa – died in infancy. Their other children were Charles and George.

1. Charles J. McLaughlin Sr. (1872-1938) m. Sarah Ann (Sally)
Meegan (1874-1959)

2. Dennis McLaughlin (1873-1874)

3. George McLaughlin (1876-1950) m. Elizabeth (Bessie)
Huxford (1876-1953)

4. Theresa McLaughlin died in childhood
 

Skaneateles Free Press, February 27, 1914
James McLaughlin, a native and lifelong resident of the town of Skaneateles, and for years one of its most enterprising and active citizens, died at his home at Skaneateles Falls at 3 o’clock Thursday afternoon, Feb. 26, 1914, in the 65th year of his age. For several years past he had been in poor health, but was confined to his bed only since the 19th of December.

James McLaughlin was the eldest son of James and Ann McKinney McLaughlin, both natives of County Donegal, Ireland, who emigrated to the United States in 1848, settling in the town of Skaneateles.

He was born near Mandana, September 15, 1849, and came to this village with his parents when 6 years old. In his boyhood days he entered the employ of the late F. G. Weeks of this village, engaging at work in the latter’s teasel shop. Here he mastered the business in a thorough manner and in the early ‘70s he engaged in the teasel business on his own account, conducting a big shop on the McLaughlin premises on Railroad Street which was destroyed by fire in the later ‘70s.

He rebuilt the shop, which is now the one conducted by his brother, Cornelius McLaughlin, and for over 40 years he had continued in the business, establishing a branch in Leeds, England, now under the management of his son, Charles J. McLaughlin. He engaged in exporting as well as importing teasels and did a large business in this line, both in the United States and abroad, selling the articles in Russia, Germany, France, Australia, and all other countries engaged in woolen manufacture.

In 1882 Mr. McLaughlin purchased for $4,000 the idle and bankrupt Skaneateles Iron Works property at Skaneateles Falls, converting the same into a woolen mill, which was operated under the firm name of McLaughlin Brothers, his brother, John McLaughlin of this village, being his partner.

Financial difficulties arose about 25 years ago, when the business was reorganized under the name of the Glenside Woolen Mills, which has developed into the most extensive industrial plant in the town of Skaneateles. He was the secretary and a leading stockholder in the company and took an active part in its management until about 10 years ago, when failing health and other causes compelled his retirement.

Mr. McLaughlin was courageous, enterprising and liberal and in his prime was one of the local captains of industry. He made several trips abroad, covering all the industrial sections of Europe. He was the author of many articles in the local papers, covering topic of public interest and especially the local teasel industry. He was well informed on many subjects and delighted in maintaining his views and defending his opinions. He was a Republican from his first vote and a loyal adherent of the party to the day of his death, though never a candidate for office.

Besides his wife, formerly Miss Mary O’Neill of this town, Mr. McLaughlin is survived by two sons, Charles J. McLaughlin of Leeds, England, and George McLaughlin of this town, and by five brothers, Dennis of Syracuse, John and Cornelius of this village, and William and Hugh McLaughlin.

Funeral services will be held at St. Mary’s church in this village at 10 a.m. Monday morning. Interment in St. Mary’s cemetery.
My family trees are incomplete and likely contain errors. Please send corrections to:
JMajor9863@aol.com
Family Trees ––– Recollections ––– Read All About It––– Strictly Solvay ––– Sandy Pond ––– Etc.